Credit: NHL via Facebook
In sports, there are moments that just feel right the moment they occur and this is one of them. The St. Louis Blues have officially handed the captaincy to Robert Thomas making him the 25th player in franchise history to wear the “C.” For a guy who’s spent his entire career in the Blue Note since being drafted 20th overall back in 2017, this feels less like a surprise and more like the natural next chapter in a story that’s been building for years. Thomas succeeds Brayden Schenkel who captained for three seasons before being dealt to the New York Islanders in last year’s trade. This meant the armband was empty for months and, let’s be honest, the lack of a rival made this announcement feel even larger. Thomas isn’t the flashiest option in terms of experience or age amongst the Blues’ previous captains, but any manager who has seen him play will attest that he has been the emotional and attacking force of this side for some time now.
A Career Built for This Moment
Thomas’s numbers speak for themselves. He has scored 460 points in 530 regular-season games over eight seasons with the Blues and is the team’s top scorer in three seasons of the past four. However, what really impresses is the story of his path. When the Blues first clinched victory in the Stanley Cup in 2019, he was still just a rookie adding six points to the memorable playoff record. Making the transition from the wide-eyed rookie on a championship team to the leader of the group into a new era is a testament to how far he has come both as a player and as a person in that locker room. In fact, there were times last season when he appeared to have no future in St. Louis, as rumours of a Buffalo trade at the deadline persisted. That never actually came to pass and Thomas made it abundantly clear that he wanted to be here and lead this franchise.
Building the Leadership Core
Thomas won’t be doing this alone. Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg, Jake Neighbours and Dylan Holloway have all been named as alternate captains, providing the Blues with leadership that will be led by a few older heads and some younger legs with chips on their shoulders. It’s a pretty balance, really, a balance that indicates that the front office isn’t just making up for a lack in the back. Thomas will officially debut with the “C” on his jersey when the Blues open their season on October 2nd against the Dallas Stars. For a fanbase that’s watched him grow up on the ice, it should be a pretty special night.
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